US3793843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating breasting platform
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-14
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A vessel-like floating platform, adapted for the breasting and berthing of transport vessels in a body of water at an offshore location and capable of resisting wave and impact forces and of adjusting to variations in water level, comprises a platform anchored or moored by a universal coupling to a vertical shaft embedded in the land surface underlying the body of water. The universal coupling comprises a downwardly extending outrigger structure which engages by means of a universal connection the surface of an annular member slidably mounted on the upper portion of the shaft, thereby enabling vertical, rotational, and angular movement of the platform and capability of adjusting to a position relative to prevailing wind, wave, and current forces for optimum in breasting the approaching vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 A Malkiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/20; E02B3/28; B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In an apparatus for the berthing or breasting of other vessels in a body of water at an offshore location and capable of resisting wave and impact forces, and of adjusting to variations in water level, and maintaining approximately a uniform vertical relation with such vessels, the combination of: a. a buoyant platform to float in a body of water; b. a support column for said platform set substantially vertically in the body of water; and c. means anchoring said platform on said column at a position adjacent the top of the column to enable vertical, rotational, and angular movement of said platform according to environmental conditions, said means comprising an outrigger structure extending downwardly from said platform and secured by a universal connection slidably mounted on and vertically movable about the outer surface of said column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an apparatus for the berthing or breasting of other vessels in a body of water at an offshore location and capable of resisting wave and impact forces, and of adjusting to variations in water level, and maintaining approximately a uniform vertical relation with such vessels, the combination of: a. a buoyant platform to float in a body of water; b. a support column for said platform set substantially vertically in the body of water; and c. means anchoring said platform on said column at a position adjacent the top of the column to enable vertical, rotational, and angular movement of said platform according to environmental conditions, said means comprising an outrigger structure extending downwardly from said platform and secured by a universal connection slidably mounted on and vertically movable about the outer surface of said column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said universal connection comprises a vertically slidable annular member having a convex outer surface and said outrigger structure has a concave surface engaging said annular member, permitting free movement of the outrigger structure and its associated platforM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said annular member is segmented, with at least two of its segments having a convex outer surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said outrigger structure comprises at least one pair of downwardly and inwardly extending rigid members which terminate in a concave bearing surface to engage said annular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said universal connection comprises at least one pair of opposing outrigger members, an annular member slidably mounted on said column, said outrigger members being connected to said annular member by elastomeric bearings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said annular member comprises a rigid ring member adapted to support on the outer surface thereof an elastomeric bearing assembly connecting said outrigger structure thereto, and on the inner surface thereof an elastomeric bearing between said ring and said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said vertical column is embedded in the land surface underlying said body of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the top of said vertical column is below the water surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the top of said vertical column extends above the water surface and said platform includes a central opening adapted to receive said column and through which the column extends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the lower portion of said platform is provided with a recess to accommodate the upper end of said vertical column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the outrigger structure is mounted on said platform in an offset position with respect to the vertical axis through the center of gravity of the platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said universal connection comprises an annular member slidably mounted on said column, a plurality of bearing members on said annular member and each having a convex outer surface, and a corresponding plurality of bearing blocks on said outrigger structure and each slidably engaging the convex surface of a bearing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |